Biomass Composition Worksheet

Activity

Table 1. Biomass Composition of Organisms used for biofuel for 200 grams of biomass

Biomass Carbohydrates (g) Protein (g) Lipid (g) Pigments (g)

Corn 160 30 10 <1
Soybean 74 84 42 <1
Green Algae 80 60 60 1
Diatoms 40 110 50 1
Cyanobacteria 50 134 16 1

Directions: Calculate the percentage of each component of biomass for each feedstock. Fill in
each circle as a pie chart for each organism representing the chemical composition of its
biomass. Label each part of the pie chart with chemical constituent and the percentage of the
biomass (example: Protein: 15%)

Component % of Biomass
Carbohydrates
Proteins
Lipids
Pigments

Corn

Component % of Biomass
Carbohydrates
Proteins
Lipids
Pigments

Soybean
 Component % of Biomass
Carbohydrates
Proteins
Lipids
Pigments
Green Algae

Component % of Biomass
Carbohydrates
Proteins
Lipids
Pigments

Diatoms

Component % of Biomass
Carbohydrates
Proteins
Lipids
Pigments

Cyanobacteria
Questions

1.) If algae are to be used for biofuel production it is generally believed that to keep it cost
competitive every part of the cell that is not used for fuel will also have to be sold to
some commercial market. List potential markets that each part of the biomass could be
sold to.

Lipids :

Carbohydrates:

Protein:

Pigments: